Fibers Hydrophobic/oleophobic

Vapor deposition has been used to prepare fibers such as woven and nonwoven synthetic and natural fibers having hydrophobic/oleophobic and biocide properties. This process entails flash evaporation of a perfluoroacrylate monomer and its radiation curing in a vacuum chamber onto a selected fiber surface. 

The perfluoroalkyl diols 12 exhibit good hydrophobic and oleophobic properties. For instance, they are used for treating porous (paper, wood, leather, fibers, textiles) or non porous materials (surfaces of glass, metals or synthetic products). 

There are many applications of polyfunctional silicones imaginable. In the present paper we have shown our ability to modulate the properties of these molecules, as well as their softening, nonyellowing, oleophobic and hydrophobic characteristics. These structures have found application in fiber treatments strongly enhancing the quality of the final products. Polyfunctional silicones are an important and promising subject of investigation, from the industrial as well as the academic point of view. 

Attributes of hquid repeUency and stain resistance (Gulrajani, 2006) are properties that are particularly attractive in work attire and uniforms. Fiber surface modification by nanowhiskers introduces advantages in stain management without alteration to breathabihty, touch sofmess, and user comfort. Multifunctional fluorocarbon molecules form bonds with cellulosic and proteinous fibers and orientate side-chains to produce a robust hydrophobic and oleophobic finish that shows good wash-fastness (Linford et al., 2005). The apphcation of suitable chemical components (Barthlott, 1996) to fiber surfaces introduces self-cleaning functions that mimic those of leaf surfaces (Neinhuis and Barthlott, 1997) by providing nanoscale elevations and depressions on the modified surface. 

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